Growing in Grace ... How to Grow in Grace
- Mandy
- Jun 8, 2020
- 4 min read
I invite you to join me, grab a cuppa and sit a while as I share with you my daily thoughts, insights and lessons learned through #scripture #devotions and #life in general.
Early one Winter morning, during my quiet time, the sentence "to grow in grace requires a spiritual sacrifice" struck a chord deep within my heart. The phrase jumped out at me whilst I was reading one of the #youbibleapp devotional plans called 'LifeHacks : Practical Tips for Godly Habits'. My mind started to mull over this profound sentence and my post today encompasses some of my thoughts on the subject of #grace.
"God called us to a holy calling ... because of His own purpose and Grace." 2 Tim 2:9
What is Grace?
The practice of 'grace' is a godly discipline and habit us #christianwomen should aspire to cultivating in our lives so we can personally can grow in Christ and become more like Him, as well as, be a righteous example of 'living grace' for other family members and women within our sphere of influence.
Firstly, understand this, 'grace' is not so much about us as it is about #God - who He is and who His Son, Jesus Christ is to us and what He has done for us. It is God's Grace that grounds and empowers everything we do in our Christian life and walk.
Secondly, we "grow in grace" - it is not some quality we can usually receive miraculously overnight (if only!). I love this biblical thought of 'growing in grace', it indicates a life principle to me ... that we can attain 'grace', but like any good habit, to achieve this quality and mindset we are required to work on it as a daily #discipline which in turn will require spiritual sacrifice. (2 Peter 2:18)
"Graceful = letting go of your try-hard life." Emily Freeman
How Do We Grow In Grace
Growing and cultivating grace in our daily lives can be practiced in a number of ways. But, unless we:
Die daily unto our sin and submit our lives to God's will and,
Be in God's word - studying and contemplating #scripture - in order to become more like Jesus every day ...
We will not grow and cultivate this beautiful quality of God's grace in our heart, mind and life. I don't know about you, but I so badly want to grow in grace, and this means we have to take the narrow road and make hard choices, right choices .... there is no other way for this growth to occur.
Here are some examples of how we can practically grow in grace:
Being mindful of the words we speak (or want to speak!) "let your speech always be gracious". Before you utter words quickly and harshly, pause and recall these words from Colossians 4:6. In other words, keep your thoughts and your words gracious.
By serving our family and our communities with grace filled hearts, rather than a feeling of duty - we are called to "serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.".
Consider the way we dress each day - wear age appropriate clothing, not revealing too much of that which should be held sacred between couples. Be a woman who shows her grace in the way you dress.
Think about the way we behave in public (and behind closed doors), the way we walk, talk and act - if our Lord Saviour was visible next to us, would we be acting in this manner and how are we impacting other non-Christian lives we come into contact with.
We are to extend grace to others when we are feeling hurt, belittled, slandered or rejected - remembering Christ's grace to us and that at one time we were sinners and 'óf this world' and Christ lovingly extended grace to us - who are we NOT to extend grace to others.
We are to stand firmly in grace (Romans 5:2) in all situations - no matter how painful or trying our circumstance are. Showing Christ to a world who does not want to know Him and hopefully sparking something in others to want what we have!
A Grace Filled Home
Here are a few ways I love to practice 'grace' in our home:
Providing a simple wholesome meal with family and others.
Having a vase of freshly picked flowers in my lounge room.
Lighting candles and having my favourite wax melt burning (Jasmine & Magnolia!).
Baking fresh wholesome bread for my family each day. See the recipe here.
Surprising my husband with his favourite dessert.
Keeping a relatively neat, orderly and tidy home.
Ensuring my family is provided with healthy snacks and meals.
Decorating with graceful minimalism, as a against a show of profuse abundance in the home.
Implementing a 'one in / one out rule'. We recently purchased a Juicer and I gifted my dormant electric bread-maker to a friend - new appliance in, old appliance out.
Purchasing items for the home which are of good quality and made or built to last. I think of these items as "investments" even though they may have costed more than another item.
Our bookshelf reflects my love of home and our love of Christ - it is filled with purposeful, grace filled reads - no smut allowed! As do our music and DVD collection.
Let me stop there - I am sure you get the idea on what I mean by grace in the home.
Resources - Because Who Doesn't Love Sharing Stuff!
Life Hacks Bible (Great gift for a member of your family)
Book: A Woman After Gods Own Heart (by Elizabeth George - my absolute favourite mentor)
I would love to hear from you and how you practice grace. We Christian Women are so blessed, let us share our grace with others around us, deserving or not.
Graciously Yours
Mandy
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